In just a few short days, the world has been turned upside down over the virus. The fear of the unknown is what drives everyone crazy and creates panic. We just don’t like the unpredictable nature of our current situation and can’t really figure out what to do. Do you find yourself in that mindset?
I went to the store for my usual weekly trip and found empty shelves of toilet paper, disinfectants, and various other things. As I traveled row by row, I found myself picking up things to take home that I usually don’t buy! I came home with three white cake mixes…three! There were $1 each, and I just felt I should buy them. Now I don’t bake cakes for Neal and me regularly, so as I put these on my pantry shelf I thought, “What in this world made you do this?” They were actually 10 for $10, so I am glad I came to my senses before I put 10 in my buggy.
We lived in Mobile, Alabama, when I was a child, and my mom tells the story of our preparation for a major hurricane that was expected to make landfall. She went to the store and bought all the necessary things that we would need to eat that didn’t require cooking. She laughs and tells how we ate everything the first day nervously waiting on this storm—which thankfully didn’t come near us.
We can’t ever know what is going to happen to us on a normal day, can we? Our lives can be changed dramatically by anything that disrupts our “normal” routine of life. What do we do? My mom quoted me the same scripture verse time and time again, “Be still, and know that I am God,” which is part of Psalm 46:10. Being still is something that I have written about before. I know it now to mean stay calm and focus on God, who has this all under control.
I want to scream “WHY? Why is this happening?” We will never know. I am praying that God will calm this situation and that we will all be better people when this is over. We will appreciate our normal days and will have gained strength through this.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
Sending love and prayers to you all—and white cake moments!
Comments 39
Thank you for these encouraging reminders of God faithfulness and sovereignty. So great te read an encouraging instead of the doom and gloom in the media!
Phyllis,
Couple of days ago I was wound up of all of this and I rushed home from work and went straight to the kitchen and made my husband a lemon cake with lemon frosting! He said what’s the occasion,? I told him I just needed to do something positive for him…he loved it and I felt better…the kitchen is my safe place! And I know the dear Lord is watching over all of us. I pray for you Phyllis and all the Ribbon ladies, you are all so precious and special.
Thanks for your Journal it’s good and speaks to my heart! You are a true blessing!
Stay safe and healthy!
California Carmel
Thank you Phyllis. You always know the right things to say and provide comfort to all. May God Bless, Keep and Watch Over you and your family. Stay safe and Take care.
Margaret
Here in New Zealand we are several weeks behind the USA, but as a small nation, we have already put in place stringent controls. Our supermarkets are patchily empty. Basic ingredients have been selected over premade foods, which can cause challenges for shoppers, but it may also indicate that people will again cook from scratch. It’s at times like these that the internet can be very useful, particularly when people will be looking for simple made-from-scratch recipes using basic ingredients (reminds me of a certain magazine title!). For many, especially those in self-isolation, with at-risk family members and the elderly, having enough food in the house for a couple of weeks at least drops stress levels a little. God is indeed in control and may we use this time of massive change to meditate on what is important and enduring and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Phyllis & Ribbon Friends,
Thank you for your thoughtful words of inspiration. Well Said!
As all too many of us know, our lives can change in an instant. As I was looking for a scripture I wanted to share, I came across an article on how to pray for healing at times when one doesn’t know how or what to pray. I had saved it nearly two years ago when that ‘instant’ occurred in our lives.
As I reread the article, I rediscovered these words by Wendy van Eyck: “…God you are in control of everything that happens from our first breath to our last sigh….”
May we feel His in-dwelling spirt within us with every breath…
Dear Phyllis,
My heart goes out to those who are caught up in fear concerning today’s headlines. I would like to share with them these words from God’s Word: II Timothy 1: 7 (KJV) says this: God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and a sound mind.
As some have already mentioned above…the Psalms are always a good place to go in times of trouble. I especially think Psalm 91 is a wonderful passage for right now…especially verses 5 – 11.
Yesterday, my pastor encouraged us to feed our faith, starve our fears and use common sense…wash our hands and use other necessary precautions.
Thank you, Phyllis, for always bringing an encouraging word our way. May God bless you & yours.
Thank you!
What a lovely commentary as are all of my fellow readers’ commentaries.
This morning, I was outside pulling a few weeds and I was reminded that no matter WHAT happens, God is WITH us and He will bring us through all of this.
I too found myself having the urge to “panic buy”, when I was making a list and wrote down “Spam”. It is funny, because I have HEARD about Spam but, I have never HAD it.
When I went to the store, a cooler head prevailed because I caught myself before I actually bought any. I realized it would be better to just buy things I might actually eat because I USUALLY eat them and know what they are 🙂
Phyllis, I am playing your piano CD right now. I am appreciating the calm it brings to my house. I searched your media store to see if you have other CDs, but found no others. Please consider making a new piano CD this year.
Our Chief Rabbi (out of Israel) has directed all Jews (globally) to pray Psalms 142 every day and every time we come to prayer.
It is never out of order or style to pray the Psalms. Remaining clam and composed lends to clarity. As we all know doing something kind for someone else will bring happiness, especially in this time of global uncertainty and adversity.
Love and well being to everyone.
Thank You Phyllis for your encouraging words of truth. We surely do live in uncertain times and it is good to know God is in control and He knows all things. So thankful that He keeps us in His tender loving care all the time and in all circumstances.
Blessings and peace to my fellow Ribbon friends.
Phyllis-I so greatly appreciate the fact that as leader of a huge corporation, you are quoting scripture and lifting up Christ during this time! This is yet another reason why I’m such a devoted Victoria reader. Thank you, and let’s all continue to be the light in the world to those around us who don’t know the Light! Thanks again.
We must trust in God at all times.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
God is in control, such a stabilizing thought. Our God is good and I for one am so thankful
As always, good reminders. My favorite scripture is: Be still and know that I am God. Don’t know about you, but was floored to find out that 60 is elderly! Stay safe.
Donnie…a few years ago I had a seasoned senior 80+ tell me I was a SIT…senior in training. Hope this brings a smile during this stressful time in our country. Stay safe.
Thank you, Phyllis. Our Lord is on the throne and I am so thankful for that. I pray that He receives praise and glory even in the midst of the storm.
Thank you for reminding us to be still & trust God. We will all get through this with lots of prayer.
Lovely post and much comfort during these difficult times. Blessings to you and your family, Phyllis. And may you all stay well.
Awesome again Phyllis…..so glad for an “Anchor” while the storm rolls on….God bless.
Thank you so much for reminding us that this is in Gods hands. Our town is still trying to get cleaned up from a terrible tornado and now we are facing this . We will get thru this with Prayers and Gods grace. People are in panic mode and we need to remember this to will pass .
Thank you for these encouraging words, Phyllis.
Blessings on you and Neil!
“Many things about tomorrow I can’t seem to understand.
But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.”
Be still and know that I am God is one of my fav scriptures. I like this use of it too-
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I Am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Beautiful post ! God bless you Phyllis! Xo
Phyllis, thank you for your words of wisdom. My generation is old enough to remember the polio epidemic, the TB epidemic, the German measles epidemic, and other flu epidemics down through the years, but somehow the Lord always brought our country through these things. Our pastor said that we don’t need to panic, but we need to heed all of our President’s suggestions and the CDC’s recommendations on sanitation, cleanliness, etc. I was glad that President Trump declared yesterday a Day of Prayer for our nation.
May we live boldly in faith, not fear.
The Kingdom is not in trouble.
Amen!
thank you for this post. Great words of wisdom.
Amen to that! We are called to be the salt of the earth – keep sharing your salt and wisdom during this time of uncertainty. We know who we are and to Whom we belong. May God grant us His grace and serenity .
Thank you for these words of wisdom, faith and grace. Through a recent experience, I have learned how important it is to remain positive, calm, and have total faith in God.
Bless you, Phyllis. Praying for all, because one way or another we are all affected by this. God wants to hear from His people.
Maybe you have friends or neighbors who would love a tasty, yummy cake delivered to their front door.
It is comforting to hear from you, Phyllis. Seeing the photo of the lovely, peaceful garden is a blessing too, in this topsy turvy upheaval in all our lives. Makes me want to settle down on that lovely bench.
Thank you for being here for us.
Thank you for this loving reminder….
Prayers that everyone stays healthy and strong to fight this demon. Thank you, Phyllis, for bringing us calmness during the storm.
You’re such a calming voice in all this scariness. I also went to the store for weekly groceries. Didn’t get cake mixes but found myself stocking up on supplies to make some of Brian’s treats! My clothes may not fit when this is over. Lol
God is in control, we need to pray and trust in him.
Stay safe, I love you!
Thank you for the reminder!
I have missed your weekly little stories and this one arrived when so many of us needed a bit of humor and prayer time. Yes, if we keep our eyes focused on what the right thing to do is– we will come through this okay. For those that have existing health issues that make this Virus REAL…..it is a time for thinking of others…..not ourselves …..family, friends, neighbors & all the Caregivers (doctors, nurses, EMT’s) that are putting themselves out there for US. I think baking is a GOOD idea…yum yum !!!
Beautifully written. God is in our todays and tomorrows. Always has been, and is always going to be.
You have espoused what the sages of old taught to those who had the wisdom to heed; to
turn to your Creator Who knows, sees, loves and controls all…then, be not afraid. This pause in life is a call to recover what has been lost in distraction….peace and trust and an awareness of Whose you are. Bless you for your words of calm and wisdom.
Thank you for your soothing words. Maybe more should be turning to prayer. Our country needs to, that’s for sure. We’ve gotten away from faith and maybe the one good thing that comes from all this is that we come together with kindness, love and faith in God. I appreciate your words of scripture . . . God bless you